News

solar boat washing station

Did you know? There is a new law requiring boaters to clean, drain, and dry their boats after exiting a body of water in Michigan, and before entering another body of water. This new law is intended to help stop the spread of invasive species in our beautiful lakes and rivers. Currently, one local organization is leading the pack in providing a practical way to comply with this new law. Thanks to an Environment & Land Use grant from C3F, Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy has installed solar boat washing stations at 4 of the 6 boat launches on Walloon Lake. Their larger goal is to have a boat wash station at all 6 of the launches, so they are well on their way, thanks to support from grants, the community, and collaboration with local townships. Right now, the only invasive present in Walloon Lake is Eurasian milfoil, and according to board chair, Russ Kittleson and former Executive Director, Josephine Roberts, (pictured with C3F Staffer, Ashley Cousens) they did not see an increase in that plant this year, a credit to the over 2,500 uses of the new boat wash stations around the lake. Each boat wash station includes a brush, vacuum, blower, and other tools to help boaters remove plants and water from their boats when they are ready to leave the lake. In this way, one small action from boaters can help to make a big ripple effect in protecting our beautiful natural resources.